Both compact · same John Deere lineup
John Deere 2032R vs John Deere 3038E
| Spec | John Deere 2032R | John Deere 3038E |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$28,866 | ~$28,730 |
| What that price is | MSRP, base build | MSRP, base build |
| Size class | Compact | Compact |
| Transmission | Hydrostatic | Hydrostatic |
| Engine hp | 30.7 hp | 36.7 hp |
| PTO hp | 24.2 hp | 30 hp |
| Loader lift | 1,120 lbsat the pivot pin | 1,186 lbsat the pivot pin |
| Three-point lift | 1,356 lbs24 in behind the lift points | 1,356 lbs24 in behind the lift points |
| Hydraulic flow | 9.3 GPM | 9.3 GPM |
| Drive | 4WD | 4WD |
| Engine | Yanmar | Yanmar |
| Weight | 2,879 lbs | 2,668 lbs |
| Fuel tank | 8.5 gal | 7.5 gal |
| 4WD | Yes | Yes |
| Front loader | Yes | Yes |
| Cab available | No | No |
| Hydrostatic | Yes | Yes |
| Power steering | Yes | Yes |
| Cruise control | Yes | No |
| Warranty | 6 yr / 2000 hr powertrain | 6 yr / 2000 hr powertrain |
A highlighted cell wins its row on the rule named above the table: more power, lift, capacity or flow, or a lower price. A lift row is left unwon whenever the two makers measured in different places, or where either of them did not say — a figure quoted at the pivot pin and one quoted 500 mm ahead of it describe the same loader and differ by roughly a third, so ranking them against each other would invent a result. Prices are typical list and move with dealer packages.
From owner discussion and long-term write-ups
What owners of each one say
John Deere 2032R
What they like
- Electronic cruise control is standard equipment, not an option, which is the thing 3E owners most often wish they had on long mowing passes
- The step-through platform, tilt steering wheel, fender-mounted controls and high-back seat are a genuine grade above the 3E station
- CommandCut deck lift sets mowing height by dial and keeps the hydraulics free for other work
- 2,879 lb makes it heavier than a 3032E, which steadies it with a loaded bucket
- Two-range hydrostatic with Twin Touch pedals and a matched Sauer-Danfoss pump and motor
- Six years or 2,000 hours of powertrain coverage
What they complain about
- The 220R lifts only 1,120 lb at the pivot pin and 803 lb measured 500 mm ahead of it - less than the 300E on the cheaper 3E models
- Deere's published base list is around $28,866, roughly $3,100 above a 3032E that makes the same power and lifts more up front
- 8.5 gal of fuel is the smallest tank of any 3- or 2-Series machine here
- No factory cab - the heated cab sold for this model is a dealer-installed accessory, and Deere's own spec table lists the cab row as not applicable
- 24.2 PTO hp limits you to a 5 ft rotary cutter
- The aftertreatment includes a diesel particulate filter with passive, active and parked cleaning cycles
John Deere 3038E
What they like
- 30 PTO hp turns a 6 ft rotary cutter, which the 3032E at 25 PTO hp cannot do comfortably
- The extra 446 lb over the 3032E is useful ballast with a loaded 300E bucket up front
- Turbocharged out of 1.568 L, a smaller engine than the 3032E's 1.642 L yet 5.5 hp stronger
- Same 300E quick-attach loader and same 6 yr / 2,000 hr powertrain terms as the rest of the 3 Series
- Published Deere base list around $28,730 puts it roughly $2,000 under the hydrostatic 3033R for only 1.1 hp less
What they complain about
- Hydraulics do not change with the power: still 9.3 gpm total and 5.3 gpm to implements, the same as the 25 PTO hp 3032E
- 1,356 lb at 24 in. behind the link arms is unchanged too, and it is the lowest hitch rating of any 36 hp compact here
- Still 7.5 gal of fuel on a heavier, thirstier engine, so range drops rather than holding steady
- No cab, and cruise control is an option rather than standard
- Turbo plus a diesel particulate filter on a machine with no cab and no flow increase - the complexity arrives without the comfort